I appreciate that.
I do think that one of the most important works a committee can do is to be proactive when we're addressing issues, important policy issues, that certainly merit some increased attention and care and consideration. I think North America is certainly one of these issues with the whole issue of competitiveness and integration—I really do believe that—and being next to such a large neighbour.
I just think it's of paramount importance, given the fact that we have this yearly summit. As we continue, it will be one of the priorities of the North American region as it continues to grow and change. I think as a key contribution here as a committee, we can examine the importance of the cooperation and enhanced integration between Canada and our two neighbours in the economic, energy, security, environmental, and societal sectors. It's a privilege to have a very knowledgeable panel here over the next week or so, an intellectually nuanced panel of experts, on the issue.
I now want to introduce the individuals we have here today.
Maryscott Greenwood, senior adviser at the Canadian American Business Council, welcome. It's nice to have you here today.
Colin Robertson, vice-president and fellow at the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute, welcome back to committee.
Carlo Dade, director of the centre for trade and investment policy within the Canada West Foundation, welcome. I know I saw you at the trade committee, on which I've sat. I'm not sure if I've seen you at this committee, but I could be mistaken. I've definitely seen you at both committees, for sure, but I'm not sure which one I've seen you at more.
The Honourable Michael Wilson, chairman of Barclays Capital bank, will be joining us at 12 o'clock.
I have a couple of things I want to mention before we get started. Maryscott Greenwood has to leave for a 1 p.m. flight, so she'll be leaving just before noon. If you want to interrogate her hard, it needs to happen in the first hour. How does that sound? We'll break very quickly at noon so that we can get hooked up for a video conference with Mr. Wilson.
We look forward to hearing from all our panellists. Then we'll go back and forth for questions, as we normally do.
Ms. Greenwood, the floor is yours.